Geez Joe was back at his favourite track, and for a third straight start at The Meadowlands he was victorious, this time taking the Friday night feature, the $20,000 Preferred Handicap for pacers, in 1:48.3.
The Erv Miller trainee beat non-winners of $8,500 on November 17 by seven lengths in a lifetime-best 1:48.1 before following that up with a one-length win facing non-winners of $15,000 in 1:49 one week later.
A trip to Maryland’s Rosecroft Raceway would follow on December 2, and things did not go well in the $100,000 Potomac, as Geez Joe went off stride just after the start.
Then, it was time for a Big M return.
Driver Marcus Miller had Geez Joe on the go from the start and the pair hit the quarter in :27.3. Tact Tate N, the 9-5 second choice, popped out of the four-hole soon thereafter and rushed to the top as the half was reached in :54.4.
K Ryan Bluechip, who was so impressive a week ago in taking his second straight at the Big M, now came calling first-over, but could never get on even terms with the leader as three-quarters went in 1:22.
Tact Tate N was good, but Geez Joe was better. In deep stretch, Marcus Miller found room along the pylons and Geez Joe responded with some explosive pace to win by 1-3/4 lengths over Tact Tate N. K Ryan Bluechip was third.
The winner, a four-year-old gelded son of Roll With Joe-Beach Bretta, scored as the 4-5 public choice and returned $3.80 to his backers. He’s won eight of 24 starts this season, while lifetime, he has 16 victories in 52 tries and a bankroll of $213,558 for owner Bay Pond Racing Stable.
NO RACING SATURDAY: With the New York Jets hosting the Houston Texans at MetLife Stadium, there will be no live racing at the Meadowlands on Saturday, Dec. 15. Live racing resumes Thursday, Dec. 20 at 7:15 p.m.
A LITTLE MORE: It was another night for the chalk players, as after post-time favourites went eight-for-10 on Thursday (December 13), six more public choices scored on the 12-race Friday card. … Andy McCarthy won three times on the program, upping his meet-leading driver win total to 34. McCarthy and his family are now heading to their homeland of Australia for a long vacation. McCarthy said he’ll be back in February or March. … All-source wagering on the card totaled $2,125,258. … Favourites won more than usual, but that did not stop those holding winning Pick-5 ($801.95), Pick-4 ($460.40) and Survivor Pick-10 ($6,955) tickets from cashing nice payoffs.
(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack)